Westminster, CO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

makes it unlawful, without first securing a right-of-way permit, to dig up, open, excavate or construct in or on any street, alley, sidewalk or other public right-of-way; to conduct work within, upon, under or above any travel lane or otherwise obstruct vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian travel; or to disturb a ditch line, pavement or roadway shoulder. The permit requirement expressly covers installation of micro wireless facilities that involve any of those activities. Under subsection (B), the City Engineer sets the regulations and specifications for right-of-way work and can attach conditions to any permit.

Applications must show the exact location, height, depth, extent, nature and purpose of the work, plus a sketch or site plan and the expected duration, and the applicant pays a fee, set annually by the City Manager on the City Engineer's recommendation, that is tied to the City's actual administrative and inspection costs and can be scaled to the size and location of the project. A separate permit is required for each use of the right-of-way, and the permit must be obtained at least two working days before work begins, kept at the job site, and shown on request to a law enforcement officer or the City Engineer.

Cutting the pavement of a street or sidewalk triggers an additional street cut impact fee under Section 9-2-8, calculated from how recently the street was resurfaced or is slated for reconstruction, and that fee must be paid before the right-of-way permit issues. A right-of-way permit must be obtained by a licensed Class D public way contractor, or by a Class E contractor for limited work described in Section 5-5-8(B).